Walk by the Spirit
Today's focusPaul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, and calls believers to keep in step with the Spirit rather than rely on their own effort.
Read
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Reflection
Following God is not a matter of trying harder by your own strength. This passage reveals a deep tug-of-war within us, where the "flesh lusteth against the Spirit." You may often feel that these two "are contrary the one to the other," making it difficult to do the good things you desire. Rather than leaving you to struggle under the weight of the law, Paul points you toward a different way of life.
When you "walk in the Spirit," your life begins to produce a different kind of harvest. While the "works of the flesh" lead to strife and "envying one another," the Spirit grows something beautiful and lasting within you. This "fruit of the Spirit" includes qualities like "longsuffering, gentleness, goodness," and "faith." These are not tasks you complete, but life that grows as you stay connected to God.
If you "live in the Spirit," your calling today is simply to "walk in the Spirit." By yielding to His leading, you are no longer bound by your old affections. Trust that He is at work in you, replacing "wrath" and "strife" with His enduring "peace."
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Which part of the fruit of the Spirit do you most long to see grow in your life right now?
Pray
Holy Spirit, I want to walk with you today. Grow in me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Help me keep in step with you in the ordinary moments.